The Wildcat News
Western Hills Magnet Center -May 11, 2020
A Note From the Principal
"Be someone's SUNSHINE when their skies are grey!’”
WOW! Hard to believe this is the last newsletter of the 2019-2020 school year! As always we continue to hope this newsletter finds you and your family well and building good memories together. What a year it has been…we can be very proud of the hard work, accomplishments and successes of all of our Western Hills’ students, staff and families!
WESTERN HILLS ROCKS!
As our school year closes, I would like to thank you for your support of Western Hills by volunteering your time, adapting to online home learning and attending special Western Hills’ events. Your support has allowed us to do many activities which we could not have done without you!
School begins again on Tuesday, August 18th, 2020. You should receive a fall opening letter, in the U.S. mail, at the beginning of August. It is very important we have your correct mailing address for summer and back to school mailings! You will be informed of classroom assignments (Homeroom numbers) in this letter. Lunch applications are also included with the letter. If you had a current meal application on file for this school year, that status carries over for the first two weeks of the 2020-21 school year. Please contact us at Western Hills if any information has changed.
If you will be moving or attending another school next year, please make sure to complete the enrollment/transfer process online on the OPS webpage under Announcements.
For those returning in August, we look forward to another successful school year at Western Hills! Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need further information. I continue to work from home, so email (heather.harbison@ops.org) is the best way to reach me.
This weekly newsletter continues to provide a place for families to find both academic and social/emotional resources to support you and your students. The Western Hills staff continues to be here to support you each day. Thank you for your assistance, your patience and your flexibility during these challenging times. We hope the following resources provide opportunities for you and your student to remain engaged in learning. Enjoy your children…. they are a most precious gift!
Have a FUN and refreshing summer! WE MISS AND LOVE YOU!
Love, Mrs. Harbison
Distance Learning
Distance Learning Activities
For summer learning, families and students will be able to pick up Scholastic Summer Reading books and other learning activities at Western Hills on Monday, May 18th -- Wednesday, May 20th. Times will be sent out soon for you to drive by Western Hills and pick up a bag of summer learning fun!
Learning Packets are posted on our academic resources webpage, which is linked here.
Digital resources to engage students from early childhood through high school are available by clicking here.
Meal Support
Meal Support for our Community
On Monday, May 11 beginning at 11 a.m., Omaha Public Schools will continue providing a number of grab-and-go packages with five breakfast and lunch meals inside for students. Eleven locations will participate:
- Benson High
- Beveridge Middle
- Bryan Middle
- Gateway Elementary
- Gifford Park Elementary
- King Science and Technology
- Nathan Hale Middle
- Norris Middle
- Marrs Middle
- Skinner Magnet
- South High
With a focus on health and safety, families will drive through to pick up food. One package of meals will be available per student/child in the vehicle. If you are unable to bring children in the vehicle, please bring a student ID, report card or other verification for each student
2020 Federal CARES Act: Public Feedback Survey
News From the Counseling Corner
Mindful Kids
Mindfulness means paying attention, with kindness and patience, to what's going on inside and outside of you right NOW. The term “monkey mind” means feeling restless, agitated and distracted. A goal of mindfulness practice is to calm the constant chatter of the monkey mind. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention, on purpose and without judgement, to the present moment.
How Do I Become Mindful?
You can be mindful by noticing your breathing, focusing your attention, expanding your awareness and by being patient even when things are hard.
Using the Mindful Activity Cards
Each week, I will have a couple cards for you to try. There are no rules for these cards, only guidelines. You can chose to do both activities or just one. You could do it daily or a few times a week, whichever works best for you. If you find one you really like, you can continue to use it and also try the new ones posted each week.
Modifications
Anyone can learn mindfulness. Your body need not limit you. So don’t worry if an exercise includes something that is not possible for you or feels unpleasant ( this might be standing up, balancing on one leg, wiggling your toes, raising your arms, keeping your body still or using your eyes or ears). You can still use the general idea and just explore ways that work for you. This might mean trying it seated or asking someone to help with the movements. You could also modify a specific activity to best suit your needs.
Let’s get started Kind Friends!!!
Western Hills PTO - Activities and Information
To remain in compliance with the Social Distancing Guidelines PTO has been suspended until further notice.
R.O.A.R. PLEDGE
Did you know that every morning students recite our Western Hills pledge?
I am a Wildcat
I Respect people, places and things,
I Only use kind words and actions,
I Always do my best, and
I am Ready and willing to learn,
I am a Wildcat,
Hear me ROAR!!!
Ask your child to practice saying the ROAR pledge and ask what the pledge means to them.
Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, citizenship status, or economic status in its programs, activities and employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to address inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Superintendent of Schools, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE. 68131
531-299-9822